Vacuum holder for sheetlike members



April 27, 1943. s. N. WEKEMAN VACUUM HOLDER FOR SHEET-LIKE MEMBERS l. f :l W

Filed July 17, 1942v BY M,

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oeoooaoo o o Y o o o Patented Apr. 27, 1943 2,317,348 VACUUM HOLDER Fon sHEE'rLIxE MEMBERS y Stephen N. Wekeman, Saddle River Township,

Bergen County, N. J., assignor to General Printing Ink Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corpo ration of Delaware Application July 17, 1842, Serial No. 451,267

1G Claims.

My invention relates to a holder to which sheet-like members are held by action of suction.

My invention has particular reference to a vacuum holder so constructed and arranged that any one of a plurality of different sized sensitized films, or equivalent, may be held in engagement with the operative face thereof, the holding vacuum eect being applied to said ilms only in an area immediately adjacent the border or margin thereof.

Various other objects, advantages and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the `following detailed description.

My invention resides in the vacuum holder, features, combinations and arrangements of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

This application is a continuation in part of my prior application Serial No. 359,938, led October 5, 1940.

"For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of some of the forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 isl a front elevational view showing a vacuum holder as constructed in accordance with one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a part of the vacuum holder of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a. front elevational view showing a vacuum lholder of another form; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a part of the vacuum holder of Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, b represents a plate formed from aluminum or other equivalent material. The plate b, on one plane surface thereof, comprises a suitable number of endless grooves or channels bl.

In accordance with the invention, each groove bl is utilized for applying suction to a sensitized lm, or equivalent, as hereinafter particularly described. As shown, each groove bl defines or borders an area on the outer surface of the plate b having generally oblong, rectangular configuration although it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited in this respect. Further, as shown, the areas of said plane surface of the plate b, as deiined by the respective grooves or channels bl, are of different sizes, respectively. Thus, thev innermost groove or channel bl denes or borders the smallest area of the outer surface of the plate b. The next adjacent groove or channel bl detlnes or borders the next smallest area of said plate b, i. e.,

that area defined bythe innermost groove or channel bl and also an area outwardly thereof. Similarly, the other grooves or channels bl define progressively increasing areas of the outer surface of the plate b and, as will be noted, these areas are symmetrically related to each other. However, the invention is not to be limited to this particular arrangement since, in a broader aspect, my invention contemplates the provision of grooves or channels bl which deiine areas of the plate b entirely separate from each other.

Viewed `from a somewhat different aspect, my

invention contemplates the provision, on the outer plane surface of the plate b, of sets of grooves, four grooves in each set, each set of grooves dening substantially a rectangular area on said plane surface. In the appended claims, the expression "rectangular area shall be understood as generically descriptive of a square area wherein all sides are of equal length as well as an oblong, rectangular area.

As shown in Fig. 2, a block or member t is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to that surface of the plate b opposite the surface having the grooves bl formed therein. Each of the grooves bi communicates with a passage b2 which extends transversely through the plate b and communicates, respectively, with the narrowed ends of threaded passages tl extending transversely through the block t. Each of the passages tl receives a threaded bolt u which coacts with a spherical member o adapted to seat upon the adjacent semi-spherical, passage surface t2. Extending longitudinally through the block t and communicating with all of the passages tl is a passage t3 closed at one end, at its other end receivlrm a threaded nozzle w to which one end of a flexible pipe a: may be secured.

An important preferred application of the present invention involves the use of the vacuum holder herein described for supporting a sensitized lm operatively in the path of the projecting light beam passing through the objective lens of a camera. suitably positioned handles, not shown, may be provided for elevating the vacuum holder to such position that the channeled surface of the plate b faces the camera objective lens.

In the example shown in Fig. 1, the lm F which is to be associated with the holder is indicated as being of such size that it covers all of the grooves or channels bl except the outermost one, the border or margin of said nlm F extending somewhat beyond the groove or channel bl which is most closely adjacent the film outer surface. With a film F of this size,

the operator operates all of the screws u with the exception of that screw u associated with the groove or channel bl at the margin of the film F, to cause the respective spherical members v to be seated lin closing relation as regards the respective associated passages b2. It will be observed that each of the screws u comprises a transverse passage ul, the'arrangement being 'such that when any screw u is holding the flexible pipe o: and operated to draw air toward the vacuum pump from said last named groove or channel bl through the passage t3, including the two outermost passages ul, and through the nozzle w. 'Ihe border of the film F rests on the last named groove or channel b l and, as a result, by action of the vacuum pump on said last named groove or channel bl, a suction effect is applied thereto whereby said ilm F is held in operative I position on the plate b.

With an arrangement of the character described above, the film F -is held by action of suction only at the margin thereof. Accordingly, by my invention, there is an absence of embossing or indenting of the film throughout the operative surface thereof. This is a serious defect which usually occurs when the entire area of the lm is subjected to a suction effect as in prior art practice.

As described above, the vacuum holder of my invention comprises a plurality of endless grooves or channels bl and, therefore, there is wide latitude as regards the sizes of the lms F which may be associated with said vacuum holder while still holding vthe various films thereto by action of suction only at their respective margins or borders. Thus, the innermostl groove or channel bl serves to hold the film F in operative position on the vacuum holder and, under such circumstances, all of the screws ul are disposed in seating relation on their respective associated spherical members v with the exception of the lowermost screw u, Fig. 2. The outermost groove or channel bl serves to hold a large iilm F on the vacuum holder and, at this time, all of the spherical members 12 are held in closing position by their respective screws u with the exception of the uppermost spherical member v, Fig. 2. Between the innermost and outermost grooves or channels bl,y a number of different sized films may be accommodated as will be obvious.

Referring to the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the plate b hereinbefore described has a face plate f associated therewith. Adjacent plane surfaces of these plates are secured together in any suitable manner, as by the screws sl, or equivalent. Preferably, the plate f, the same as the plate b, is formed from aluminum or equivalent material and, in accordance with the invention, contacting surfaces of the respective plates, prior to assembly thereof, are coated with a suitable cement so as to insure a sealed joint between such contacting surfaces. The assembly comprising the plates b and j constitutes a vacuum holder of an improved form for a sensitized film, or equivalent, as hereinafter particularly described.

As illustrated, the. plate by on the surface thereof facing the plate f, comprises a suitable number of endless grooves or channels bl corresponding with the grooves or channels bl hereinbefore described and sealed from each other by the otherwise contacting surfaces of the plates b and f. Extending through the plate f are a plu-l rality of rows of passages fl which communicate, respectively, with the grooves or channels bl, each row of passages fl, corresponding in configuration with that groove or channel bl associated therewith.

In accordance with the invention, each groove or channel bl and the row of passages fl associated therewith forms an arrangement for applying suction to a, sensitized film, or equivalent, in generally the s'ame manner as hereinbefore described with respect to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

As shown particularly in Fig. 4, a plurality of internally threaded passages pl, preferably vertically alined, extend through the plate b and lthese passages communicate, respectively, with the grooves or channels bl. Threaded into each of the passages pl is a nipple nl, the outer end of which' is adapted to be sealed by a detachable cap cl formed from rubber, or equivalent.

The nipples nl, in any suitable manner, may be associated individually with any suitable vacuum: pump or other source of suction, not

shown. To this end, a flexible pipe al leading to said vacuum pump may have one end of a nipple dl permanently `connected to oneY end thereof by a clamping ring rl, the other end of said nipple dl carrying a tubular suction cap el provided with a ared skirt section e2, Fig. 4.

The vacuum holder of Figs. 3 and 4 is utilizable in substantially the same manner as hereinbefore described with the vacuum holder of Figs. 1 and 2. Thus, asshown in Fig. 3, the particular lm F, which is to be held on the holder after the latter has been properly positioned in a camera, or equivalent, is indicated as of such size that it covers all rows of the passages fl except the two outermost rows.

Accordingly, with the film .F positioned as just described, the operator removes the cap cl from that nipple 'nl which is the third from the top as shown in Fig. 4, said last named nipple nl communicating with the row of passages fl cov ered by the lm margin or border. Thereupon, the suction cap el is associated with said last named nipple nl, the skirt'section e2 of said cap el forming a seal on the rear surface of the plate b and, with the vacuum pump operating, lair is drawn toward the vacuum pump through said last named nipple nl and from the groove bl together with the row of passages fl associated therewith. The film F, adjacent the border thereof, rests upon the last named passages fl and, as a result, by action of suction, said lm F is held in operative position on the plate f.

The vacuum holder of Figs. 3 and 4 operates in generally the same manner as described above in connection withFigs. 1 and 2. Thus, with the holder of Figs. 3 and 4, the film F is held by action of suction only at the margin thereof, this being true by reason of the fact that the suction effect exists only in that nipple nl to which the vacuum pump is connected. Accordingly, with both forms of the invention, there is an absence of emv nipple nl with which vwith the rows of bossing or indenting on the nlm throughout the positioned as shown in Fig. 4, for example, the caps cl should be associated with all of the respective nipples nl below orinwardly oit that elated. If thisiis not done, there may ice-,during operation of the vacuum pump, anl undesired outward bulge of the film F along lines coinciding passages fl connected to the inner nipples nl. More particularly, when the vacuum pump is associated with that nipple nl which is third from the top and with the film F positioned as shown in Fig. 4, operation of the vacuum pump causes air to be withdrawn from beneath said film whereby the latter closely hugs the adjacent plate surface. If the caps ci, or equivalent, were not utilized to seal the two lowermost nipples nl, atmospheric pressure applied therethrough would cause an outward spot or line bulge along lines coinciding with thetwo innermost rows of passages i.

In view of the foregoing, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that I provide vacuum holders of simple construction which are advantageously adapted to apply only a marginal holding e'ect to any one of a plurality of dii-ferent sized iilms. The required operations are few in number and the number of parts requiring manipulation are small and capable of operation in a simple manner.

Better results are obtained with the vacuum holder of Figs. 4l and 2 in those cases where the requirements are such that films F differ only slightly in size. With such films, it is necessary for neighboring endless grooves or channels to be disposed rather closely together, for example, as shown with respect to the pair of grooves or channels bl between the innermost and outermost ones, Figs. 1 and 2. Under these circumstances, it is desirable to use a holder such as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 rather than the one illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

Although the invention has been described in connection with the association of a sensitized film with a camera holder, it will be understood that the invention is not to be so limited. Thus, for example, the principles of my invention may be used for holding a copy sheet on the copy board of a camera, for holding a sensitized metal or other sheet-like member on the holder of a projector, for positioning a sensitized film in proper position in an enlarging box, etc. l

In the appended claims, the references to "endless cavitymeans shall be understood as generically describing the endless grooves or channels bl and the endless rows of passages fl.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain particular preferred examples which give satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Leters Patent is:

l. In a device of the character described, a plate structure having one plane surface thereof the vacuum pump is assoindenting effect.

' sheet-like member shaped to form endless cavity means adapted to be covered by the marginal section of a sheet-like member, and means for applying a suction effect to said endless cavity means to thereby retain the in association with said plate structure, said sheet-like member, while thus associated withk said plate structure, being retained in position only by the suction effect existing at said endless cavity means and said sheet-like member, in the area thereof within said endless cavity means, being free from any suction effect whereby such area is free from an embossing or 2`. In a device of the character described, a plate structure having an endless groove extending thereinto from one plane surface thereof, and means for applying a suction effect to said groove to thereby retain the margin of a sheet-like member in direct engagement with the edges of said groove to thereby seal the same, said sheet-like member, while thus associated with said plate structure, being retained in position only by the suction effect existing at said groove and said sheet-like member, in the area thereof within said groove, being free from by such area is free from an embossing or indentina effect.

3. In a device of the character described, a plate structure having one plane surface thereof shaped to form a plurality of endless cavity means having progressively increasing size toward the border of said plate structure, said plate structure being adapted to have associated therewith individual sheet-like members of different sizes, one of said endless cavity means forming the border of an area of one size on said plane surface, another cf said endless cavity means forming the border of an area of smaller size on said plane surface, said last named area being disposed within said rst named area, and means for applying a suction effect to one of said endless cavity means to thereby retain the margin of a sheet-like member in direct engagement with said last named endless cavity means to thereby seal the same, said sheet-like member, while thus associated with said plate structure, being retained in position only by the suction effect existing at said last named endless cavity means and said sheet-like member, in the area thereof within said last named endless cavity means; being free from any suction effect whereby such area is free from an embossing or indenting effect.

4. In a device of the character described, a plate structure having one plane surface thereof shaped to form a plurality of endless cavity means having progressively increasing size toward the border of said plate structure, said plate structure being adapted to have associated therewith individual sheet-like members of different sizes, one of saidendless cavity means forming the border of an area of one size on said plane surface, another of said endless cavity means forming the border of an area of smaller size on said plane surface, said last named area being disposed within said first named area, a plurality of separate means for separate communication with the respective endless cavity means, either of .said communicating means being adapted to have a vacuum pump connected therewith to thereby retain the margin of a sheet-like member in sealing engagement with the endless cavity means to which the vacuum pump is connected, said sheet-like member, -while thus associated with said plate structure, being retained in position only by the suction effect existing at said any suction effect wherefrom one plane surface thereof a plurality of endless grooves having progressively increasing size toward them border of said plate structure, said plate structure being adapted to have associated therewith individual sheet-like members of different sizes, one of said grooves forming the border of an area of one size on said plane surface, another of said grooves forming the border.

of an area of smaller size on said plane surface, said last named area being disposed within said first named area, and means for applying a suction effect to one of said grooves to thereby retain the margin of a sheet-like member in direct engagement with the edges of said last named groove to thereby seal the same, said sheet-like member, while thus associated with said plate structure, being retained in position only by the suction effect existing at said last named groove and said sheet-like member, in the ar'ea thereof within said last named groove, being free from cavity means which is disposed within the endless cavity means subjected to the vacuum effect. saidv last named means comprising a screw and a spherical passage-closing member associated with each endless cavity means. y

8. A vacuum holder for sheet-like members, said vacuum holder comprising a plate structure having one plane surface thereof shaped to form a plurality of endless cavity means having progressively increasing size toward the border of said plate structure, a block on the opposite surface of said plate structure, said block comprising a passage extending longitudinally therethrough,

any suction effect whereby such area is free from an embossing or indenting effect. g

6. A vacuum holder for sheet-like members, said vacuum holder comprising a plate structure having one plane surface thereofshaped to form a plurality of endless.,cavity means having progressively increasing size toward the border. of said plate structure, means for producing a vacuum eiect in any one of said endless cavity means, and means for sealing each of the endless cavity means which is disposed within the endless cavity means subjected to the vacuum eect. 7. A vacuum holder for sheet-like members, said vacuum holder comprising a plate structure having one plane surface thereof shaped to form a plurality of endless cavity means having progressively increasing size toward the border of said plate structure, means for producing a vacuum eiect in any one of said endless cavity means, and means for sealing each of the endless a passage communicating with the block passage and with each endless cavity means, a spherical member for closing each communicating passage,

and means formoving each spherical member to seating positionf.

9. Ina device of the character described, a plate structure having a plane surface provided with a cavity means defining substantially'a rectangular area on said plane surface, and means for applying a suction eiect to said cavity means along all foursides thereof to thereby retain in association with said plate structure a sheet-like member having its marginal section covering all four sides of said' cavity means, said sheet-like member, while thus associated with said plate structure, being retained in position only by the suction eiect existing at said cavity means whereby said sheet-like member retains its plane configuration in the area thereof within said cavity means.

10. In a device of the character described, a plate structure having a, plane surface provided with a set of grooves defining substantially a rectangular area on said plane surface, and means for applying a suction effect to said grooves to thereby retain in association with said plate structure a sheet-like member having its marginal section covering said grooves, said sheetlike member, while thus associated with said plate structure, being retained in position only by the suction effect existing at said grooves whereby said sheet-like member retains its plane configuration in the area thereof within said grooves.

. STEPHEN N. WEKEMAN. 

